Washington, D.C. – In a dramatic scene during President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday evening, Texas Democratic Representative Al Green was forcibly removed from the House chamber after repeatedly interrupting the speech. The disruptions, which centered on proposed cuts to Medicaid, escalated tensions in an already polarized setting, drawing sharp rebukes from House leadership.
Rep. Green’s protests began shortly after President Trump outlined his administration’s healthcare agenda, which included significant reductions to Medicaid funding. Green, a vocal critic of the president’s policies, shouted objections from his seat, defying calls for order. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) issued multiple warnings, urging the congressman to adhere to chamber decorum, but Green persisted, raising his voice to decry what he described as “an assault on the most vulnerable.”
After several minutes of back-and-forth, Speaker Johnson directed the sergeant at arms to intervene. The officer escorted Green out of the chamber as murmurs rippled through the assembled lawmakers and spectators. The incident briefly paused the president’s address, though Trump continued shortly thereafter, making no direct comment on the disruption.
Outside the chamber, Rep. Green remained defiant. “I will accept the punishment,” he told reporters, standing firm in his opposition to the proposed Medicaid cuts. “This is about principle. I cannot sit silently while policies threaten the health and lives of my constituents.” Green, who represents Texas’s 9th Congressional District, has long positioned himself as a staunch advocate for healthcare access and a frequent critic of the Trump administration.
The removal marks a rare breach of protocol in a joint session, an event typically characterized by formal civility despite underlying partisan divides. House rules empower the Speaker to maintain order, including the authority to remove members who refuse to comply. While Green faces potential disciplinary measures, such as a formal reprimand, no immediate action was announced by Johnson’s office. 17GEN4.com
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